Welcome to the Big Molecule Watch!

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Goodwin’s award-winning Big Molecule Watch is the best resource for daily updates and analyses of regulatory issues, litigation, legislation, and other news in the world of biologics, biosimilars and related technologies. The editors of this blog have collectively been watching and engaging with the world of biologics and biosimilars (“big molecules”) since before the inception of the biosimilar industry in the U.S.  With extensive experience representing clients at all stages of a biologic’s or biosimilar’s lifecycle, from research and development, to patents, to regulatory application and approval, and through litigation and appeals, we are excited to share our observations and insights as the industry and the law continues to develop in this exciting area.

This blog focuses on “big molecules” as opposed to “small molecules.” Small molecule drugs have low molecular weight, a simple and well-defined structure, and are chemically synthesized. In contrast, “big molecule” drugs have high molecular weight, complex structures, and are derived from living organisms. For example, aspirin is small molecule while a monoclonal antibody is a big molecule. For further reading on big molecules, consider FDA's resources on biologics.

Deal news: Bio-Thera Solutions and Intract Pharma

Bio-Thera Solutions and Intract Pharma announced at the end of last month that they had entered into a global collaboration and licensing agreement that gives Bio-Thera access to two oral delivery technologies for monoclonal antibodies to develop treatments for chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases.  According to Intract’s press release, “Intract has…

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Coherus and Xbrane Announce Acceptance of Regulatory Submissions for Ranibizumab Biosimilars

On October 1, 2021, Coherus BioSciences announced that FDA has accepted for review Coherus’ BLA for CHS-201, a candidate biosimilar to Lucentis® (ranibizumab), which is indicated for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and several other ophthalmic conditions. The BLA was originally submitted by Coherus’ partner, BioeqAG.  On October 4, 2021,…

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Bevacizumab Biosimilar Demonstrates Positive Phase 3 Results for the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

A study recently published in Cancer Communications reported that LY01008 or BOYOUNUO, a bevacizumab biosimilar developed by Shandong Boan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (“Shandong Boan”), a subsidiary of Luye Pharma Group Ltd. (“Luye Pharma”), demonstrated comparable safety, efficacy, immunogenicity, and pharmacokinetic profiles to the reference product AVASTIN in patients with advanced…

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Biogen/Samsung Approval of BYOOVIZ™

Samsung Bioepis, Co. Ltd. and Biogen Inc. announced yesterday that their biosimilar product BYOOVIZ™ (ranibizumab-nuna) was approved by FDA.  BYOOVIZ™ is a biosimilar to LUCENTIS®, which is indicated for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, and myopic choroidal neovascularization.  As Biogen noted, BYOOVIZ™…

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CHMP Adopts Positive Opinion on Alvotech’s Adalimumab Biosimilar

European Medicines Agency

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended approval of Alvotech‘s high-concentration AVT02 (100 mg/mL), a proposed biosimilar to Humira® (adalimumab).  Humira® is approved to treat certain inflammatory conditions.  Róbert Wessman, Founder and Chairman of Alvotech, announced, “We are delighted by the CHMP’s…

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